Raytheon and Navajo Nation: 25 years of teamwork

Raytheon's Diné Facility in Farmington, New Mexico, has a workforce with a proud tradition. Nearly 90 percent of its employees are members of the Navajo Nation.

Diné and the Navajo Nation have been connected since 1989, with a history of strong craftsmanship, dedication to its reservation and superior level of quality of work. The 25th anniversary of that association was celebrated this fall with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new warehouse.

The warehouse will enable Raytheon to streamline the flow of material and production, preserve current jobs at the site, and create jobs for those in the local community.

Raytheon’s Diné employees work on ten Missile Systems programs. The highly-skilled, flexible and diversified workforce has earned a reputation for meeting challenging commitments and maintaining a clean and safe environment.

“We work together to create jobs. The main thing is jobs to make our economy better, and that’s what we are doing,” said Ben Shelly, Navajo Nation president.

The Navajo Nation has a proud history of supporting warfighters. From the famous code talkers of World War II to the important work being done today, the Diné team continues this tradition of excellence.

“Since 1989, the facility has grown to become a large-volume, multi-program production facility that earned many awards for excellence in operations, quality and safety. The employees here are role models for the rest of the company in these areas,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems, during the celebration.

The warehouse will span 30,000 square feet and be located adjacent to the main site. It is the result of three years of collaboration between the Navajo Nation, the State of New Mexico, San Juan County, and Raytheon.

"What it shows is growth in the community, growth in the Nation; it shows commitment from the Nation to put up the money, it shows commitment from the state to put up the money, it shows commitment from Raytheon that we are going to be here for the long run," said Matt Ryan, plant manager of the Raytheon Diné Facility.

The Raytheon Diné Facility is staffed by approximately 200 employee and contractor associates.